University News

WIU Sigma Alpha Sorority Holds Fundraiser for Fellow Student

December 11, 2013

MACOMB, IL – A "last-minute" fundraiser for a friend in need went off without a hitch for the women of the Sigma Alpha sorority at Western Illinois University… and it provided essential assistance for one member's medical procedure late last month.

Agriculture students in Western's chapter of the national sorority Sigma Alpha—a professional agricultural organization that "promotes scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship"—organized the event just before Thanksgiving to raise funds for one of their sorority sisters. The young woman suffers from a medical condition and needed financial assistance for a procedure scheduled over WIU's Thanksgiving break.

According to Alpha Sigma member Danielle Woolam (Macomb, IL), a junior agriculture major, the fundraiser was held November 19 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Macomb and featured donations from several local businesses and individuals.

"We planned it very last minute, but we had a great turnout. My goal was to raise $1,000 and we ended up raising $1,200, so we nailed it," Woolam explained. "At the fundraiser, we served a spaghetti dinner and had a raffle of odds and ends, including Western items. Donated items came from businesses and individuals, including Buffalo Wild Wings, Sally's, The Embroidery House, Jackson Street Market, Hy-Vee, County Market, United Community Bank, No Place Like Home, Donna Pestle and Rialto Cinemas."

Woolam added without the help of the WIU Greek organizations Sigma Alpha, Alpha Gamma Sigma and Delta Sigma Pi, as well as the assistance of the Ag Mech Club, the event would not have been possible.

"With the donations these organizations provided, we were able to buy all necessary ingredients and food for the fundraiser," she said.